Cerritos College

MATH 60: Elementary Algebra - Course Information

Textbook: Beginning Algebra, 4^th edition, by K. Elayn Martin-Gay, Pearson Prentice Hall

Required materials: Windows computer access and a scientific or graphing calculator, graph paper and a class notebook – its format is left to the student (spiral notebook, three-ring binder, etc).

Course description: This is the first course in algebra. Topics included are: real numbers, polynomials, rational expressions, first-degree equations and inequalities, graphs of equations, linear systems of equations, exponents and radicals, and quadratic equations.

Prerequisite: MATH 40 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher or satisfactory completion of the Math Placement Process. Prerequisites are strictly enforced.

Homework: Homework is submitted online and each assignment is worth 1.5 points. A student earns credit for the homework if (s)he completes at least 70% correctly. Once a student accumulates 60 points [ideally, after completing the first 40 assignments] every completed homework assignment earns 1 extra credit point. This is to give you an incentive to complete your work in a timely manner!

Notebook: Every student must keep a notebook for this course, which will earn up to 50 points. You must keep notes and work just as you would in a traditional class. Its format is left up to you. The content must include at least one page of notes for each section, with the number and title of the section at the top of the page and examples and concepts written out. After that, the solutions to your homework problems should be worked out, neatly. You must bring your notebook with you to every exam. If you take an exam at a different time, it is your responsibility to bring it to the instructor’s office to earn credit for your work.

Quizzes: Each online quiz (one per chapter) is worth 10 points. You have “sample tests” accessible from the same page as your quizzes, that you can use as practice quizzes. Quizzes must be completed by the deadline. You have one chance to do the quiz, except for Chapter 1 (no limit) and Chapter 2 (two attempts). You do not have access to the quiz after its deadline has passed. However, you can always go back and review your quiz through the Gradebook.

Exams: There will be four 150-point exams and a 200-point comprehensive final. These will be in-class exams. The final exam is Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 6 PM in PS-20. The final exam is required to pass the course.

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS AFTER THE EXAM DATE! If there is a compelling reason why you cannot come to a scheduled exam time, you must notify me WELL AHEAD OF TIME so that we can make arrangements to have the exam proctored.

Grading:	Homework [1 point each]	50 points
	Quizzes + Ch. 1 Assignment	90 points
	Notebook [1 point per section]	50 points
	Discussions*	10+ points
	Exams	600 points
	Final Exam	200 points
*TOTAL*		*1000 points*

*The Discussions are within our online environment, Course Compass, beginning with Introductions.

The final grade will be based on the percentage of total points earned as follows:

90%-100%	A
80%- 89%	B
70%- 79%	C
60%- 69%	D
0%- 59%	F

Free Mathematics Tutorial – AED 90.91 Ticket no: TBA

To enroll in the tutorial, simply take the completed form you received during orientation to the
Academic Support Center LC – 166 (lower level of the library building)

Communication:
Email & “Ask the Instructor” are going to be our most frequent form of communication. To have your emails answered as soon as possible, the subject line of your email should be as follows:

MATH 60, Your Name, Subject For example: MATH 60, Joann Smith, Keeping on schedule

When replying to an email I sent, always include the original email in your reply. If you prefer to communicate via phone, you must know that I am on campus only Monday through Friday. I check my messages while I am on campus only, but I will be happy to call you back as soon as possible. Make sure to let me know what the best time is to call you back.

It is almost a requirement that distance learning students be more focused and better time managers than students taking the course on campus, and that they be able to work both independently and as group members. Other helpful characteristics include strong self-motivation, self-discipline and assertiveness. - Darcy Hardy